Port City Brewing Company revived Alexandria’s proud brewing tradition in 2011 to provide great, locally produced craft beer. They are committed to producing world class quality beers without compromise for the regional market. They have as their mission:

“To be a reliable and innovative regional brewer of top quality beers that are delicious and well balanced, made from the finest ingredients available, and which celebrate their raw materials.”

In their quest to brew the highest quality beer around, they have racked up a ton of awards! Unlike some breweries who have a beer that wins one blue ribbon and that’s all, they and their beers continually win regional, national, and international awards. We are lucky to have such an awesome local brewery roughly seven miles down the road!

Tonight’s Beers:

Optimal Wit:Does this beer need an introduction? A Belgian-style witbier brewed with Virginia-grown wheat, Spanish orange peel, coriander, and Grains of Paradise. It was the first beer Port City rolled out in 2011 and is still winning awards today! If you haven’t had at least one Optimal Wit, then you need to try it now. 4.9% ABV, 15 IBU

Tartan Ale: “Alexandria’s two Scottish founders, Captains Philip and John Alexander, inspired Port City’s Tartan Ale. Scottish beers in the 1800’s were taxed on their strength, with the strong and better quality beers costing more. Customers developed the habit of asking for them by the tax ratings, or shilling names. The 80-shilling style was one of the stronger types that could be purchased, containing 4.0-5.5% alcohol. The 80-shilling beers are traditionally malty, without much hop character, as hops did not grow in Scotland and were expensive to import. Tartan Ale has a deep, copper-color and is produced in the 80-shilling style. It offers a slightly fruity flavor that complements the luscious malty roast caramel flavor and faint hop aroma.” 5% ABV, 24 IBU

Maniacal Double IPA: “Maniacal Double was devised to be a super hoppy beer without being aggressively bitter. Our first Double IPA is hazy, deep orange in color with crazy bold hop flavors and aromas of exotic citrus and pine. It strikes an appealing balance between hops, sweet malt structure and warming alcohol. We use a small percentage of caramel malt for color and flavor, which allows the hops to dominate. We “pre-hop” this beer by throwing the hops in the brew kettle well before it boils to add extra hop bitterness and flavor. Our unique twist with this beer is that it is maniacally hopped with 2.75 pounds of hops per barrel, but it remains a tropical beauty.” 8.5% ABV, 85 IBU

Colossal Six: The Colossal series is Port City’s anniversary beer series and they are awesome examples of their respective styles. Unlike many breweries, they waited until their 6th year to put our a Russian Imperial Stout and this inky black beer burst with cocoa, coffee, leather, and toasty notes. Take our suggestion and grab a four-pack, drink one now and age the rest. This beer is delicious now but it built to age! 10.2% ABV, 65 IBU